Leonardo Campana: The Inter Miami Player Who is Much Richer Than Lionel Messi

• Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi, is the most famous star at Inter Miami
• However, the Argentine is not the richest player currently with the club
• Messi joined the Herons last year from French side, Paris Saint-Germain

While Lionel Messi is the most renowned player at Inter Miami, he is not the wealthiest currently on the roster.

The Argentine has amassed a reported $650 million throughout his career, boasting eight Ballon d'Ors, 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, and Copa America and FIFA World Cup wins.

The 36-year-old transitioned to the States last summer following a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain.

In his debut full season with Inter Miami, the Argentine icon aims to elevate the profile of Major League Soccer after leaving a lasting legacy in Europe.

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Although the Barcelona legend is the most prominent figure in the club's brief history, he is not the wealthiest player in the locker room.

That distinction belongs to 23-year-old Leonardo Campana, who hails from a billionaire family in Ecuador.

Campana, previously associated with Premier League outfit, Wolverhampton Wanderers, made the move to the Miami franchise in January 2022.

Despite not making a league appearance for Wolves, he arrived in Miami on an initial loan agreement, later solidifying his commitment by signing a permanent deal with the Herons in January 2023.

Who is Leonardo Campana?

The striker's father is Pablo Campana, a former professional tennis player who represented Ecuador in the 1996 Olympic Games held in the United States.

Campana Senior later ventured into politics and served as the Minister of Commerce in the Ecuadorian government from 2017 to 2019.

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Following his political career, he founded Millenium S.A., a real estate development company, where he currently holds the position of CEO.

Isabel Noboa, Campana's grandmother, initiated the family's wealth accumulation. Renowned as one of Ecuador's leading businesswomen, she ventured into real estate, agriculture, tourism, and commerce.

Per SportBible, the family's net worth exceeds $1 billion, significantly surpassing Messi's wealth.

What is Messi's net worth?

The World Cup winner's net worth, meanwhile, is estimated to be around $600 million (£464mil) by Forbes, with his total overall career earnings put at $1.28 billion in 2023.

Per GOAL, Inter Miami offered Messi a contract worth between $125 million and $150 million (£100mil and £120mil) over his two-and-a-half-year tenure with the club.

This translates to an annual salary of approximately $50 million to $60 million (£40mil and £46mil), representing a modest increase from his reported earnings during his time at PSG.

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Angry fan knocks Messi’s head off

Sports Brief also reported how Chinese fans were angry with Messi after he failed to play in a friendly game against Hong Kong XI.

The Hong Kong government demanded answers from Inter Miami, as many fans were eager to see the 2022 World Cup winner.

Compared to the diplomacy shown by the government, one fan kicked the head off Messi's likeness in a cardboard cutout.